Cultural continuity, traditional Indigenous language, and diabetes in Alberta First Nations: a mixed methods study

Source: Richard Oster, Angela Grier, Rick Lightning, Maria Mayan, Ellen Toth

Year: 2014

Cultural continuity, or “being who we are”, is foundational to health in successful First Nations. Self-determination, or “being a self-sufficient Nation”, stems from cultural continuity and is seriously compromised in today’s Alberta Cree and Blackfoot Nations. Unfortunately, First Nations are in a continuous struggle with government policy. The intergenerational effects of colonization continue to impact the culture, which undermines the sense of self-determination, and contributes to diabetes and ill health.